Daily Times

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has repeatedly ordered cutting the electricity connection of the industries causing environmental pollution. IHC Justice Shahid Karim has directed WAPDA to take immediate action against the industries in light of the commission’s report.

Justice Shahid Karim heard the application for smog remediation wherein various departments submitted reports. The LHC directed the WASA to use the stored water from the canal and to store wuzu (ablution) water. The court adjourned the hearing on the petitions till next week.

Earlier, Sindh Environment Protection Agency (EPA) launched a daylong campaign against smoke-emitting vehicles to curb environmental pollution in the metropolitan city. The air quality of Lahore remained severely toxic despite three holidays over the weekend, and the ‘City of Gardens’ was declared the second most polluted city in the world on Tuesday.

Owing to the prevalence of thick clouds of smog, the AQI of Lahore was recorded at 288 on Tuesday morning, exceeding the World Health Organisation’s guidelines on air quality by 48 times.

In the Garden Town area of Lahore and its surroundings, the air quality index was recorded at 572, 462 in Gulberg and its adjacent areas, 454 in Defence and surroundings, 368 in Garhi Shahu and the nearby regions, and 362 on The Mall Road and the surrounding areas.

The international monitors say the average air quality index is 50 or less. The Indian capital, New Delhi, topped the list of the most polluted cities in the world.

The toxic air has caused severe breathing problems and other related infections among citizens, which is why doctors advised them masks when they step outside their houses.